Chapter Twelve: Nearly Getting Strangled.

With a sharp ring of the bell, I start running towards the girls washroom, carrying my stuffs with me. I feel Luke's eyes slightly glance to my side before turning his attention on his now reunited friends.

If I had not mentioned already, sports is the last class of the day. I can already feel the stench coming from the kids walking out of the class. Eyeing my destination, the small room, also known as The Girl Cave, I push past my way, not caring about how many feet I have stamped on.

"Hey!"

I stop in my tracks, looking at the owner of the voice. A short guy, about my height glares at me, with his arms stubbornly folded across his chest. He narrows his eyes at me, attempting to burn me with his mere gaze.

"Uh, sorry?" I mumble, not sure of what to say. He calculates me, tapping his foot.

Okay, what does this guy want?

"If you could move out of my way.." I start trying to look behind him. A huge clock ticks, it's hour hand close to touch '2'.

"Crap," I mutter, running towards him. He moves away startled but slightly brushes my arm. I hear him groan.

"Thanks," I squeak before rushing to the washroom. I push open the door, and stand in a corner, taking my clothes out of the cover.

His pissed face keeps on flashing in my head. Such a weirdo. What was his deal? Someone stamped on his feet... maybe me. And I asked sorry, yeah? Did he expect me to wipe his feet and gently caress it with water?

I don't know.. I should've snapped at him. Snapped like how anyone else might have done. But no.. what did I do? Surrender, of course. My strategy is simple. Don't go into any talks. Just surrender. they'll leave you alone.

That's dumb. Some people tell me. By some, it's mostly Jayden.

"Its fine," I would say. And he would just roll his eyes, muttering something undecipherable.

I immediately hear a door unlock and quickly rush to the room, disposing the thoughts I had.

I hear a few groans and swears as I lock the washroom door. Sorry, kids. You're too late.

Quickly unzipping my pants and removing my shirt, I throw it on top of the door, immediately changing into the dress I earlier wore. A black pencil skirt with a sleeveless pink frilled silk shirt. I grab the sports clothes and push it into the plastic cover.

Flattening my top and tugging at my skirt, which for some apparent reason always looks too short to me, I unlock the door, stepping out.

I stand in front of the mirror that covers the whole washroom and remove my hairband, expecting my hair to fall down like a waterfall, instilling envy and awe in all the girls' hearts.

Instead, that cursed thing decides to stay all snuggled up in my locks. Irritated, I show no mercy as I tug harder on it, finally freeing my hair.

Quickly taking out a comb from the bag, I brush my hair, tying it high up. After scrutinizing myself in the mirror, I quickly rush out, but a bit more careful to not hit anyone. I quickly recollect all that happened today, checking whether I have any books to take home.

No work in bio. Hell loads in physics. Took physics book, some homeworks in math...

Oh wait, I didn't take my math note! Hastily looking at the hour hand strike two, I rush towards my classroom. As far as my wobbly legs and motion constricting skirt could take me, I struggle till I reach the room. I place a hand on the door, panting dramatically for extra effect. How the heck did I take so much time?!

I can already imagine the growling look plastered on my driver's face. Seriously though, he is sometimes way too intimidating for my liking. Some groans can be heard from the room. You see, usually I would hesitate to barge into a room without any warning or such. But time was wearing thin and so would be my driver's patience.

I push open the door, revealing some weird teenagers walking around and chatting , sitting close on the edge of the table.

Okay, thank God no teachers are around.

Nodding to myself, I quickly enter the class, catching my notebook lying down lifelessly on the ground. A storm of anger washes me. Who put it down?!

Being the goody two shoes I am, I swallow the question down, running towards my precious notebook. I bend down to take it up and immediately dust the book, straightening my posture. In a hurry, I forgot to wear the other shoulder strap. Immediately slinging it over my shoulder, I proceed to head off before a set of long fingers grasp my wrist.

"What?" I quickly say in reflex and turn, just to be met by Alma's deadly eyes. I gulp, trying to break free of her grasp. Instead, my action seems to have enlightened her, seeing the small smirk playing on her lips. My heart pounds madly, each part of me being me to either slap her or fend myself. God knows what she will do.

"Leave me, Alma," I tell her, my voice so soft that not even an insect would bother it. Alma smiles further, clearly happy in condescending me. I feel tears pricking my eyes. I hate it when I am cornered up. I hate it when I can say nothing to protect myself.

But I need to say something.

My body and brain, realizing it's in a fight or flight situation immediately takes control.

"Listen, I don't know what's the deal with you or why you look like you want to strangle me, but leave me. At least for now." The words flow effortlessly off my mouth. Should I ask sorry?

Your brain did something good for once. Stop arguing with it.

Alma opens her mouth and I bet it's not gonna be good.

"Maybe because I want to strangle you." I widen my eyes at her words. If she kills me, I swear I will... Oh wait I cant do anything once she kills me.

Maybe that is why you better speak now.

"What do you want?!" My voice uncontrollably rises a bit, before I could push it down.

"Look, I don't know where that Emma found you,"she looks deeply at me, slowly closing the distance between us. My stomach ties itself in knots at the dangerous proximity.

"But don't try and get comfy with us. I don't know what you want, but whatever it is, it ain't happening. Not as long as I am here," she says, her face just inches away from mine. I take a huge gulp.Is that why she is so pissed the whole time? She thinks that I Am using her?

My head throbs at how complicated this whole issue is. A simple meet and greet. And someone is already trying to strangle me.

"Listen, it's just a misundersta-"

"I don't care. Get the hell outta my face and oh yeah, don't ever cross our paths again. Ever," she emphasises the last word, immediately leaving the grasp off my hand. I look down my wrist to see the reddened area. Thoughts immediately give rise to furious words. The words play at the top of my tongue but immediately get stuck.

I try speaking but nothing comes out. I try looking her in the eye and challenging her but I just can't. My throat gets hitched and a small tear finds its way out if my eye.

Looking around at the four pair of eyes scanning me up and down. Embarrassment fills my features.

I immediately jolt out the window, not before I hear some guys snicker.

Her words hammer in my head as I run towards the exit. I can already hear the criticizing voices of my friends.

"Told ya!" they would say.

"You never listen," they would say.

"You deserve this," they would never say but I know that deep inside, that's what they would think at least.

More tears threaten to fall. Give them a chance. Max had said. I did give them. And to think that they were going to be nice for a second. Gosh, everything just has to turn all dramatic and perfectly stereotypical.

I can feel dozens of eyes look at my running figure. It's not a usual sight seeing the topper of the school run around with hazy eyes. I wanted to tell them to mind their own business. But I don't want to. It's after all what I would've done in their place. It's ironical how brave and smart I am portrayed by everyone whereas I am really just a crippling soul, engulfed by loneliness and worry. I hate myself so much. I hate the fact that I can't protect my life. That I can't do any stupid thing alone by myself.

Not even completely realizing that I am near the exit door, I would've slammed hard into it if it was not for the stranger holding it open.

I stop abruptly, taking a look at the door before turning to at least thank the stranger. I thought of walking away but the stranger's persisting presence indicates me that he/ she is waiting for some kind of response.

And it turns out that it was a no stranger.

"Em, what the heck?!" Jayden voice comes off strong, gathering almost some eyes on us. I look around before shushing him.

"I'll tell you later," I mutter, trying to leave but he holds his grasp tight. The door slowly shuts back and I freeze on spot.

That's the hand where Alma grabbed me. What if he sees it?!

I immediately writhe my hand off his grip, showing a line of worry in his face. His emerald eyes search deep into my own, making me lower my gaze. I know that he wants to know what happened. But I am not gonna let him know. I don't want anyone to know that I am actually not capable of making any decisions.

I don't want them to know how easy it is to put my guard down.

But that what Jaden is trying to do with his gaze.

"Emma, what the actual sh*t happened?" he says, pulling me to the corner. This one time, I don't really have the need to heighten my gaze as we both stood the same height. 5"4 or something .

Wrong time to be proud of your height.

Okay, my brain has a point.

Seeing his impatient face, I open my mouth.

"Nothing."

Surely he just gets more frustrated.

"Nothing? You seriously think I'll believe that?"

I groan. "Listen, Jay. The teacher got pretty mad at me today and decided to cut off most of my marks, " I lie, trying not to cringe hardly at my own attempt of a lie.

"Oh okay," Jaden says and surprisingly his features calm down. Taking opportunity, I run off to the door, not soon before he grabs my arm again.

There goes my attempt.

"C'mon Eline. I've known you long enough to see through all your lies. Tell me, what happe-"

I dont have to look at him for his sudden pause because I already know why.

"ELINE?!"

Great, the whole cooridoor is looking at us again.

"What is wrong with your wrist?!" I shuffle my feet, immediately catching hold of his now free hands.

Before he could hold me again, I immediately run off into the parking lot, searching wildly for my bus.

I could hear Jaden's scream but I decided to hide behind one of the big cars. A Chevrolet I guess. I don't really know the names of most of the cars, but the classic plus sign, or whatever it is supposed to be is surely a Chevrolet.

I peep a bit outside, after being confirmed that he is no where around and search for my beautiful yellow bus.

And then I look at my watch.

And then I see the minute hand nearing 6

And then I realize that it's two thirty.

And then I realize that my bus had left.

•••••••••••••••••••

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

So long since I updated. Sorry..

I just got a bad molar-ache (yes, it hurts; molar ache sound coooler than toothache) and was nearly killed by it. (okay, not really, but you get my point.)

And on top of that, I had exams.

I am never gonna drop this book just like that, trust me. But yeah, some days I just update super slow, not because I want to.. but because of the circumstances.

Okay, enough of my sad two line story.

Hope you liked this chapter! I also added a small recap, just because this took heck lot of time to upload.

K then,

Splashes